Diversity of entomopathogenic nematodes in western Uttar Pradesh Pervez Rashid* Division of Nematology, ICAR-Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi-110 012, India *Corresponding author; E-mail: rashidpervez2003@gmail.com
Online Published on 29 June, 2022. Abstract A survey has been conducted and 127 soil samples were collected from different locations of Hapur, Shamli, Saharanpur, and Muzzafarnagar districts of western Uttar Pradesh, India for isolation of EPNs. Out of 127 soil samples baited out, only eight samples were found to be positive to entomopathogenic nematodes (EPN). Among these EPN strains, three EPNs were found from the Hapur district, two each from Shamli, and Saharanpur districts and one from the Muzzafarnagar district. Among eight isolated EPNs, four species belong to genus to Oscheius, three species belong to genus Steinernema, and one species belong to genus Heterorhabditis and code assigned accordingly. Our survey revealed that Oscheius spp. and Steinernema spp. were widely occurred. Entomopathogenicity of isolated EPNs was also tested against greater wax moth larvae, Galleria mellonella. Among the tested EPNs, Steinernema sp. (IARI-EPN RP 03, 05 and 09), Heterorhabditis sp. (IARI-EPN RP 06), and Oscheius sp. (IARI-EPN RP 07) were the most virulent against Galleria. The information generated from the present study may form base for developing novel formulations based on indigenous EPN strains because these EPNs are adapted to the local environmental conditions and are natural regulators of insect populations. Top Keywords Diversity, Entomopathogenic nematodes, Uttar Pradesh, Biological control. Top |